Request for Quotes - Livingston & Washtenaw County Farm to School Programs

Attention farmers and vendors:

 

Participating school food service directors in Livingston and Washtenaw Counties are now accepting proposal for Michigan-grown fruits and vegetables for delivery to any or all of the following school districts:

·         Chelsea School District

·         Dexter Community School District

·         Fowlerville Community Schools

·         Hartland Consolidated Schools

·         Howell Public School District

·         Saline Area Schools

·         Whitmore Lake Public Schools

 

Proposals will be accepted for wide variety of locally-grown fruits and vegetables for the 2010/2011 school year for all school districts, some of which will also operate summer food service programs in the summer of 2011. This is a great way for farmers in and around Livingston and Washtenaw Counties to diversify or expand their markets!

 

Please see the attached cover letter and bid packet for details. Contact the participating school food service directors directly  if you have any questions about this market opportunity- their contact information is included in the cover letter. Note that proposals are due by noon on August 9^th, 2010. Feel free to contact me or Michaelle Rehmann of the Food System Economic Partnership (FSEP) (rehmannm@fsep.org or 517-490-6912)  for additional information as well.

 

Thanks so much,

 

Colleen Matts

Farm to Institution Specialist

CS Mott Group for Sustainable Food Systems

Michigan State University

303 Natural Resources Building

East Lansing, MI 48824-1222

517.432.0310

www.mifarmtoschool.msu.edu

 

 

FW: 2010 Community and School Gardener Networking Meeting - Planning in progress

FYI!

 

From: Scott, Anne C. [mailto:scottann@MSU.EDU]
Sent: Tuesday, June 29, 2010 11:16 AM
To: YOUTHGROW@LIST.MSU.EDU
Subject: 2010 Community School Gardener Networking Meeting - Planning in progress

 

Apologies in advance for cross-postings.

Planning for the 2010 Community and School Gardener Networking Meeting has begun! The Community School Gardener Networking Meeting (CSGNM) is an opportunity for activists, educators, volunteers, and committed community and youth gardeners to gather and share skills, knowledge, connection, and information that empowers and strengthens the community and school gardener movement in Michigan.   

If you wish to participate in planning this year’s event, please join us on Wednesday, July 14th at 4pm via conference call.  The toll free conference call line is 877-287-0283, code: 219391.  The planning committee is comprised of volunteers from various organizations from around the state that engage in community and/or youth gardening.

We are hoping to determine the location/host community on our next call.  In past years, the CSGNM has been held in Lansing, Flint, and Ypsilanti.   Local organizations that would like to see this year?s event feature youth and community gardening activity in their community and are able to participate in planning are especially encouraged to join our next call.  Current possibilities are Detroit, or a community in the west or northern regions of the state.

More details about the event to come soon!  For more information, contact the planning committee at communityschoolgardeners@gmail.com <communityschoolgardeners@gmail.htm> .  


Anne C. Scott
Youth & Community Food Outreach Specialist
C.S. Mott Group for Sustainable Food Systems at MSU
(517) 353 0751
scottann@msu.edu
www.miyouthandfood.msu.edu

Genesee County Schools' Farm to School Request for Quotes

Greetings all,

A number of school food service directors in Genesee Intermediate School District now have 2 years of local food purchasing experience, and they’re ready to do more next year!

 

Please find attached the Request for Quotes (RFQ) for locally (Michigan) grown fruits and vegetables for participating school districts in Genesee Intermediate School District. As you’ll see, the school districts are interested in purchasing apples, cantaloupe, peaches, pears, watermelon,  green cabbage, lettuce, peppers, potatoes, carrots, tomatoes, corn, broccoli and cauliflower for their school meals programs, but they’re open for suggestions if you have other products available. Review the attached document for instructions and more details, and, if you’re interested, submit a quote in writing to GISD Health, Safety, and Nutrition Services by July 29^th, 2010. Feel free to be in touch with me, Aggie Bedell from Health, Safety and Nutrition Services at GISD or any of the participating school food service directors (contact info included in the RFQ) if you have any questions. You’re welcome to share this RFQ with farmers who may be interested in this great market opportunity!

 

Thanks,

 

Colleen Matts

Farm to Institution Specialist

CS Mott Group for Sustainable Food Systems

Michigan State University

303 Natural Resources Building

East Lansing, MI 48824-1222

517.432.0310

www.mifarmtoschool.msu.edu

 

 

FW: Needed! Comments to USDA on Geographic Preference rule by June 18th

Hi all,
Please see the message below and attachments from the National Farm to School Network regarding the public comment period for the final rule for "geographic preference", which allows school food service directors to prefer locally grown and raised unprocessed products for Child Nutrition Programs like school meals and snack programs. For additional reference, I've attached the current proposed rule and two of the past USDA guidance memos addressing this issue.

If you would like to weigh in on the topic of geographic preference and local food purchasing at schools, please submit your comments by this FRIDAY, JUNE 18th through one of these methods:
-Federal E-rulemaking Portal: www.regulations.gov/search/Regs/home.html#submitComment?R-0900006480adaf6f
-Fax to Melissa Rothstein at 703-305-2879
-Mail to:
Melissa Rothstein
Policy & Program Development Branch
Child Nutrition Division Food and Nutrition Service, USDA
3101 Park Center Drive, Room 634
Alexandria, VA 22302

Thanks,

Colleen Matts
Farm to Institution Specialist
CS Mott Group for Sustainable Food Systems
Michigan State University
303 Natural Resources Building
East Lansing, MI 48824-1222
517.432.0310
www.mifarmtoschool.msu.edu

-----Original Message-----
From: sara tedeschi [mailto:smtedeschi@wisc.edu]
Subject: Needed! Comments to USDA on Geographic Preference rule by June 18th

Greetings all -

Most of you are well aware of the past two USDA memos (post Farm Bill) allowing and defining the use of geographic preference in school food purchasing protocol. Now is the public comment period prior to the language becoming law. It is important that we weigh in and ensure that there is clarification on what is and is not allowed under the terminology "processed."

The National Farm to School Network has put together an informative and very helpful backgrounder (attached), as well as supplied a sample letter, also attached. The link to the proposed rule can be accessed via the backgrounder.

Please consider taking the time to submit a letter within the next week to ensure that this crucial aspect of local purchasing is further clarified and that we do not end up with a rule that prohibits (purposely or via vague language) the types of minimal processing becoming more and more important in farm to school efforts.

The Network also suggests that if you choose to make this very easy, one can simply state to the USDA "we support the comments of the CFSC and the National Farm to School Network."

Food Service directors who are engaged in purchasing any kind of minimally processed produce or meat items would be great individuals to submit letters. Please share this request with the Directors you think might be motivated to provide thier input.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Thanks for your expert assistance at this time!

Sara

************************
Sara M. Tedeschi
Great Lakes Farm to School Network Coordinator Center for Integrated Agricultural Systems University of Wisconsin, Madison www.cias.wisc.edu www.farmtoschool.org smtedeschi@wisc.edu 608-513-3980

More Farm to School News

Greetings,

Some of these news bites are a little overdue, but I wanted to be sure to share them nonetheless. Enjoy!

NEWS:

School Lunches are a National Security Threat?
A group of retired military leaders said that Americans are becoming “too fat to fight.” Click here to read their report, which says that more than 27% of young adults (ages 17-24) are too overweight for military service. These military leaders are encouraging Congress to remove junk food from schools, improve nutritional standards and quality of school meals, and to increase access to anti-obesity programs. Here is more news regarding this new report:

•  Ex-military leaders: Young adults 'too fat to fight' (CNN)  
•   Report: American Childhood Obesity Threatening National Security (NBC)

 

School Sites Selected for USDA Farm to School Team Site Visits
290 schools across the country applied for consideration for a Farm to School site visit by the new USDA Farm to School Team. Thanks to all of those in Michigan who applied! Only 15 sites were selected and recently notified. They are:

Harrisonburg                                                   Harrisonburg, VA           
Boston Public Schools                                     Boston, MA       
Jamestown Public Schools                              Jamestown, RI      
Burlington Vermont Public Schools                Burlington, VT    
Jefferson County Public Schools                     Louisville, KY    
Montgomery County Public Schools               Mount Sterling, KY         
Chilton Public Schools                                     Chilton, WI     
Hilbert Public Schools                                     Hilbert, WI     
Independence Community School District     Independence, IA         
Union Public Schools                                       Tulsa, OK      
Morrison Public School                                   Morrison,  OK     
Ventura Unified School District                      Ventura, CA         
Riverside Unified School District                    Riverside, CA   
Bethel School District                                     Eugene, OR          
Eugene School District 4J                                Eugene, OR      

 

FoodCorps Garden Building & Summit

For your viewing pleasure, click here to view photos that were taken at the FoodCorps Garden Building and Summit that took place at the National Farm to School Conference in Detroit last month. If you would like to share photos you took at the conference, please post them on the conference event page on Facebook and to SlideShare.

School Food 101

Check out the School Food 101 Webinar that was presented by the C.S. Mott Group for Sustainable Food Systems at MSU and School Food FOCUS on May 5, 2010! Click here.

 

OPPORTUNITIES:

Is your school interested in gluten-free and/or dairy-free products? If so, check out Dennett’s Gluten (all) & Dairy (99%) Free Creations product availability and wholesale price list (attached). Please contact Sherry Adams-Dennett directly at sherry@dennettsglutenfree.com for more information or to place an order.

 

EVENTS:

Food System Economic Partnership Annual Conference
When: June 24, 2010
Where: Jackson Area Career Center
Register on-line at http://www.fsepconference.org/ 
Click here for more information.

Movie Screening and Information Session of “Two Angry Moms”

When: Saturday, June 26 from 1-4 PM
Where: Capital Area District Library

There is a free screening of the documentary "Two Angry Moms" which explores the questions “what are our children are eating at school, how  is it impacting their learning, their behavior, and their health?” This event is hosted by Rachael Hilliker and is free, but please RSVP here. For more information about “Two Angry Moms”, please visit www.angrymoms.org.

 

Colleen Matts

Farm to Institution Specialist

CS Mott Group for Sustainable Food Systems

Michigan State University

303 Natural Resources Building

East Lansing, MI 48824-1222

517.432.0310

www.mifarmtoschool.msu.edu

 

FW: Direct Market Farmers, We Need Your Input!

 

From: Montri, Dru
Sent: Monday, June 07, 2010 9:50 AM
Subject: Direct Market Farmers, We Need Your Input!

 

Apologies for cross posting.  Please forward this e-mail to any direct market farmers you know.  Thanks!

---

 

Attention: Direct Market Farmers

 

We need your input!

 

Customers are increasingly interested in where their food comes from and how safe it is. As a direct market farmer, you take steps everyday to produce the safest product for your customers.  Please help us understand all of the steps you are taking and what education or training you need to deliver high-quality produce.

 

Michigan Food and Farming Systems (MIFFS), the Michigan Farmers Market Association (MIFMA), and the Department of Horticulture at Michigan State University want to help you in your effort to provide safe, local produce to your direct market consumers by developing resource materials and training sessions geared towards you and your food safety needs.

 

Please take some time to answer a few questions about your farm and your understanding of food safety to help us determine what you already know, what you need to know, and what the best way is to help you learn it. Your participation in this study will take approximately 20 minutes.

 

Please follow this link to participate in the survey:

 

http://msucarrs.qualtrics.com/SE?SID=SV_6mRgEnOCb0tuHPe&SVID=

 

If you have concerns or questions about this survey, please contact Dru Montri at dnmontri@msu.edu.

 

Thank you for helping us help you!

 

Dru

 

Dru Montri

Association Manager

Michigan Farmers Market Association

 

PhD Student, Michigan State University

Departments of CARRS and Horticulture

 

172D Natural Resources Building

East Lansing, MI 48824

Ph: 517-432-3381

Fx: 517-353-7961

 

 

 

Farm to School News

Greetings,

Here are some of the latest Farm to School news bites:

 

NEWS

First, a big thank you to all who participated in and contributed to the National Farm to Cafeteria Conference in Detroit last month. With over 700 people in attendance, I think all would agree that it was a tremendous success and a great opportunity to show off some of the incredible projects here in Michigan to a national audience! Special thanks to the Food System Economic Partnership (FSEP) in southeast Michigan for their outstanding work with local conference organizing. For follow up and wrap up info, including video of the keynote speech by USDA Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan, conference materials and presentations, the Farm to Cafeteria 50x20 photo slideshow, online evaluation, and more, please see the attached email from the Community Food Security Coalition and the National Farm to School Network, the national conference organizers.

Click here to view the latest update on the Child Nutrition Reauthorization for the Food Research and Action Center (FRAC).

Put Healthy Helpings of Michigan-Grown Foods in School Meals
Betti Wiggins, Director of Operations in Food Service for Detroit Public Schools, wants to serve more Michigan-grown fresh fruits and vegetables in school meals, but a tight food service budget makes this challenging. While it could provide some funding for farm to school programs, the Child Nutrition Act Reauthorization may be delayed again.

FoodCorps: Building an Army to Support Sustainable Food and Farmers
The FoodCorps is a proposed subdivision in AmeriCorps that  would link members specifically with Farm-to-School projects to help develop farm to school supply chains, expand food system and nutrition education programs in schools, and build and manage school gardens.

Michelle Obama Hosts Youth Leadership Event and Luncheon in Detroit
After an inspiring commencement speech at Wayne State University, First Lady Michelle Obama hosted a mentoring luncheon at the Detroit Institute of Arts. Follow this link to read more and watch a video of her speech.

School District Includes Local Foods
Many schools and districts participated in "Michigan Week" last month. Learn about how Nutrition Services in the Plymouth-Canton District focused menus on Michigan products during their “Local Foods Week.”

 

EVENTS

Food System Economic Partnership Annual Conference
When: June 24, 2010
Where: Jackson Area Career Center
Register on-line at http://www.fsepconference.org/ 
Click here for more information.

 

OPPORTUNITIES

For the fourth year, Michigan Food & Farming Systems (MIFFS), the Michigan Department of Agriculture (MDA) and the Michigan Farmers Market Association (MIFMA) will host a Farmers Market at the Capitol on the East lawn of the Capitol building in downtown Lansing. The markets will be held on Thursday, July 22^nd and Thursday, September 16th.  Vendor applications will be available at www.miffs.org for those interested in selling at these markets. MIFFS and MIFMA members will receive their applications in advance and have the first opportunity to apply. Applications will be available on June 14 for non-members. If you’re interested in joining MIFFS or MIFMA, visit www.miffs.org/join.asp or click the “Join MIFMA” tab at www.farmersmarkets.msu.edu.

 

Colleen Matts

Farm to Institution Specialist

CS Mott Group for Sustainable Food Systems

Michigan State University

303 Natural Resources Building

East Lansing, MI 48824-1222

517.432.0310

www.mifarmtoschool.msu.edu